BARIATRICS

About

I am a medical doctor and Specialist in Endocrinology & Metabolism, caring for patients with diabetes, thyroid, other hormone, and weight management issues. After completing my training as an Endocrinologist in 2005 at the University of Calgary, I have had busy clinical practices in both Calgary, Alberta, and at the Royal University Hospital at the University of Saskatchewan. I spent a year on a research sabbatical at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, intensifying my interest and passion for the study and management of obesity. I'm involved in research in several areas, from lifestyle change, to innovative new ways to treat diabetes, to gastric bypass surgery.
I am passionate, enthusiastic, and driven to help conquer the stigma against obesity; educate health care professionals and the public about obesity, diabetes, and healthy living; and to help us become a healthier society!

>> Monday, March 15, 2010

Everyone likes to be pampered now and again, and eating out is no exception! It is a delightful social experience to take an evening out with your spouse, family, and/or friends, and the occassional night out should not be an obstacle to a successful weight loss plan! Here are a few tips to stay on your program while having a fun night out!

1. Choose a healthy restaurant.

Aim for a restaurant that specializes in a 'pure' variety of food - for example, sushi is an excellent choice. If fast food is more your style, Subway is known for its fresh ingredients. Avoid the places that are heavy on the meat & potatoes, or those where you can smell the oil before you round the corner.

2. Plan ahead of time.

If possible, choose your restaurant in advance, and check out their menu online. Many establishments indicate which meals are low fat or healthy choices, and some also have nutritional info online. Choose what you're going to have, and stick with it!

3. Portion Control.

In our consumer society, many restaurants still gear towards making the customer feel that they've gotten the maximum bang for their buck. Unfortunately, that bang packs extra calories! Ask your server how big the portion you've ordered is, and if it is large, ask for half of the meal to be served and the other half to be packed up to take home. Do this in advance of receiving the meal at your table, such that the large portion on your plate is not a temptation to overeat. To get an idea of appropriate portions, have a look here.

4. How is your food being prepared?

Despite your best efforts to choose the healthiest item on the menu, your plans can be foiled in the restaurant's kitchen. A salmon fillet is an excellent choice, but did you know that many restaurants will grill it with at least a tablespoon of butter to make it taste richer? That's 130 cal of saturated fat - for a typical woman trying to lose weight, that butter is 10% of her advised caloric intake for the entire day! Don't be afraid to be picky - ask for your meal to be prepared without, or with as little as possible, oil or butter. Entirely avoid anything that states 'fried', 'sauteed', or 'battered'; instead, go for 'baked', 'grilled', or 'broiled'.

5. Avoid drinking your calories

It is generally advised to eat your calories rather than drink them, as liquid calories are less satiating and leave you hungering for something else. For example, it is better to eat an orange than to drink a glass of orange juice. There are many hidden calories in beverages; that innocent after-dinner latte can easily be over 200 calories.

A HEARTFELT WELCOME!

I am excited that you have arrived at my site, and I hope you are too - consider this the first step towards a Healthier New You!! As a medical doctor, Endocrinologist, and obesity specialist, I am absolutely passionate about helping people with weight management. Though there is certainly no magic cure for obesity, there IS a successful treatment plan out there for you - it is all about understanding the elements that contribute to your personal weight struggle, and then finding the treatment plan that suits your needs and your lifestyle. The way to finding your personal solution is to learn as much as you can about obesity: how our toxic environment has shaped us into an overweight society; the diversity of contributors to obesity; and what the treatment options out there are really all about. Knowledge Is Power!!

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DISCLAIMER

Any medical discussion on this page is intended to be of a general nature only. This page is not designed to give specific medical advice. If you have a medical problem you should consult your own physician for advice specific to your own situation. Postings on this blog represent the personal opinions of Dr. Sue Pedersen. They are not representative of, or endorsed by, Alberta Health Services or C-ENDO Diabetes & Endocrinology Clinic. This site is hosted free of charge by Google's Blogger platform and is intended for residents of Canada as well as health professionals.